Hello Beautiful

Unpopular Opinion -- Hello Beautiful is a story that has family (melo)drama, the opportunity for poignant moments and many themes about family, love, and life. But it didn't come together for me. I found the pacing to be painfully slow, particularly in the first half as Napolitano sets up the trials and tribulations of the Padavano clan and William Waters who becomes part of the family.

This sloooowww burn book simply took far too long to get going and I never felt invested in the lives, loves and heartbreak of the Padavano/Waters family. I expected to enjoy this book like so many other readers, but it was a hard slog and I ended up skimming pages to get through it. Honestly, I should have DNF'd it.

Here's what didn't click with me:

A one-dimensional snail - For a character-driven story, the sisters felt one-dimensional and not fully fleshed out. Their bond seemed more codependent than healthy and I didn't feel a connection to any of them - least of all Julia or Rose. Blood is definitely not thicker than water in this book. If you tick off a Padavano, prepare to be exiled.

Light on tension & depth - Despite the many topics introduced, none are given enough depth (particularly mental health) leaving the story to feel too simplified and lacking in emotional oomph and tension. 

What era? - The book is set in the 1970's and 80's but often felt like it had a 1950's vibe.

When I reread my review of Napolitano's previous book, Dear Edward (a bookstagram favourite that I liked but didn't love), I noticed I described it as 'slower paced, cliched characters and didn't live up to its hype'. I obviously had similar feelings here leaving me to think that despite many other readers enjoying this book, perhaps after two misses, Napolitano and I are not a good fit for each other.

My Rating: 2.75 stars

Author: Ann Napolitano

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: The Dial Press

First Published: March 14, 2023

Book Description from GoodReads: William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him. So it's a relief when his skill on the basketball court earns him a scholarship to college, far away from his childhood home. He soon meets Julia Padavano, a spirited and ambitious young woman who surprises William with her appreciation of his quiet steadiness. With Julia comes her family; she is inseparable from her three younger sisters: Sylvie, the dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book and imagines a future different from the expected path of wife and mother; Cecelia, the family's artist; and Emeline, who patiently takes care of all of them. Happily, the Padavanos fold Julia's new boyfriend into their loving, chaotic household.

But then darkness from William's past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia's carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters' unshakeable loyalty to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?

Vibrating with tenderness, Hello Beautiful is a gorgeous, profoundly moving portrait of what's possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it.